READY? AIM! FIRE!
Happy New Year, my dear sisters in Jesus! Last night I wrote a letter to the Lord Jesus right before I went to sleep and recalled His faithfulness through a tumultuous year. Right before I turned out the light, I opened up Daily Light for the last Scripture reading for the year and it offered this verse:
The Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way you went until you came to this place. Deut. 1:31
I could have cried. Yes, He surely did. And He carried you, too. Tightly in His faithful arms.
Only God knows what this particular year has in store for us. He alone sees how the path will wind, and climb, and fall, and rise again. We do not have control over the future as we glance ahead to 2011 but make no mistake. He does and we, His lavishly loved daughters, can indeed prepare to live what He thoughtfully brings our way victoriously. On this first day of the new year, we are not victims. We are called to live as victors, holding up the Shield of Faith in one hand and the Sword of the Spirit in the other.We need BOTH.
It’s finally time to post your first memory verse of 24 in 2011! If you haven’t already read the instructions thoroughly, please look at the post on December 26th titled “Siesta Scripture Memory Instructions.” It will tell you everything you need to know. Just a quick refresher: Your comments will almost entirely consist of these entries:
First name, city, verse, reference, and version.
Please keep it limited to these facts so that the verses stand out prominently for us to behold. You can occasionally say something as brief as “I’m excited!” Or “I need prayer!” but nothing longer than that please. Let’s let the Scriptures themselves rise like we’re looking at them with our 3-D glasses on.
Here’s my first Scripture entry of 24 in 2011:
Beth, Houston: All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. James 1:17 The NET Bible
Be sure and hand write your verse in your spiral to help engrave it on your sweet mind. Also consider writing your contact information on the inside cover in case you leave it somewhere and God causes someone gracious to find it.
I love to claim Psalm 65:11 on the first day of the new year:
You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. The NET Bible
Lord, I want an abundance of Your Holy Spirit! (See Luke 11:13!) Abba, go before us this year and leave the fragrance of Your very presence in Your wake!
OK, Siestas! Hit it! I’ve prayed for you and can’t wait to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ with you this year. If some of you don’t know which verse to use this time around, consider Psalm 65:11. It’s a great first round.
Remember to wait 24 hours from the time you post your comment until you assume it got lost and enter it again. So many comments come in at once on these Scripture memory posts that the server bogs down, causing it to take extra time.
I love you, Sisters! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do this! Remember, KEEP IT SIMPLE AND MEANINGFUL!
Grace, silver city, ps. 65:11 thou crownest the year with they goodness and thy paths drop fatness. Jkj
Annette, Smithfield, UT. Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. Psalm 4:3 NIV
Erica, Amman: “Summing it all up friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 (The Msg.)
Tanya, Richland, MS NIV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right living.” James 3:17-18 NCV
Angie, Aberdeen: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as Eagles; They shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 TLB
Jena Louisville,TN Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.” NIV
Elizabeth, Wilmette, IL
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never foresaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:9-10, NIV
Sharen, Geelong, Australia.
“’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
Lisa, Roswell, GA – “You Lord all all I have, and You give me all I need: my future is in Your hands.” Psalm 16:5 GNT
Debbie — Hattiesburg, MS
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV)
Whitney, Nashville: “You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.” -Psalm 65:11, The NET Bible
Elizabeth, Newark, DE
May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose. Psalm 20:4 (New King James)
Edith, Huntsville, AL
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made good your confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:11 – 12 NIV
Sarah, Cleveland
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 23-25 NIV
Melissa in Edmond
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NASB
Shelley, Fort Worth, Texas
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” Matthew 7:1-2 NLT
Susie, Knoxville, TN: You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake.
Psalm 65:11 (NET Bible)
Niccol, Wilmette
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.
Job 11:16 NIV
from Colorado Springs
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have recieved. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Eph 4:1-3 (NIV)
Kathryn, Raleigh
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Amy, Hood River, Oregon –
“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Rev 15:3-4
Katie, Charlotte, NC John 15: 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV
Marilyn, Seattle
“Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go, who don’t do what evil people do. They love the Lord’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don’t die. Everything they do will succeed.” Ps.1:1-3 NCV
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
1 Corinthians 9:27 (NIV)
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Karen, Vacaville, CA
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Debby, Waco, TX
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.” Psalm 63:3 NIV
Peggy, Billings, MT
My husband of 43 yrs. died of Alzheimer’s in July and I feel the need to become closer to God. I think this is a good way to do that. My verse is Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
I’m so sorry for your loss, Peggy! I’m praying for you today…
Dear Peggy,
I am sorry for your loss. I extend my “Heartfelt Sympathy” to you.
My mother passed away in April 2010. She was 92 years old and I miss her. This fall I participated in a Grief/Share Support Group at our church. It was a wonderful Christian based video series with a workbook. The website is, also, supportive and you can sign up for daily emails, if you would like to do that.
http://www.griefshare.org
Peggy, I lift you up in a Special Prayer right now.
In God’s Love,
Cathy, Cedar Rapids,IA:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NASB
NIV reads “peace as you trust in Him” praying He will restore my trust & belief in Him
Jarin, Houston: “He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. Proverbs 17:19 NIV
Colossians 3:5-6 Put to death , therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming.
I Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
Julia, Glendora, CA
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 NASB
Kathy Lynden, Wa
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Marie, Harrison: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Heather, DFW, Tx:
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
Jodi, California “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Kristin – Lexington, KY
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30 (NIV)
Kristin – Tyler, Texas
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Colossians 3:5-6 Put to death , therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming.
Emily, Mayfield: For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
– Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15 NASB
Jennifer, Birmingham
“O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.”
Psalm 61:1-2. NLT
Cody, Houston, TX
“I will rejoice because I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will, even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:19-20, NASB
I lift my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121 verses 1-2
Lynn, Lubbock: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19. NIV
Valerie, Mineral Wells, TX “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6 NKJV
Colossians 3:5-6 Put to death , therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming.